Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at University of California-San Diego

UCSD's drama program exemplifies why prestige doesn't always translate to immediate post-graduation earnings—but the trajectory tells a more optimistic story. That $18,026 first-year figure places this program well below California's $20,538 state median for theatre programs, and the moderate debt load of $14,650 still creates a concerning 0.81 debt-to-earnings ratio when your child is likely working multiple survival jobs in their first year out.

The redeeming factor is the 110% earnings growth by year four, reaching $37,883—which actually surpasses stronger California programs like Chapman and San Francisco State. This pattern is typical for performing arts careers where graduates often spend initial years in internships, gigs, and building their networks. Among California's 64 theatre programs, UCSD lands at the 40th percentile, meaning it's performing slightly below the state's middle tier despite the institution's competitive 25% admission rate.

Here's the practical reality: if your child is pursuing this path, they need financial support or minimal debt during those lean first years. The relatively low $14,650 debt helps, but even that becomes burdensome on arts industry wages. By year four, graduates appear to be finding steadier footing—whether in technical theatre, arts administration, or adjacent creative fields—but this is not a program where financial independence arrives quickly after graduation.